Steve Wynn’s new casino will do at least one thing for him - it will make the average citizen take note of what’s going on in the business trenches of Sin City. Why? Because it’s starting to look as if the Emperor has no clothes…Read More

Steve Wynn’s new casino will do at least one thing for him - it will make the average citizen take note of what’s going on in the business trenches of Sin City. Why? Because it’s starting to look as if the Emperor has no clothes on and that's always fun to talk about.

Even if you go to Vegas to lose yourself to flash and bling with no interest in the business of Vegas beyond how much you hope to win , you can’t visit the town without learning that Steve Wynn is a major player on the Vegas strip. He literally carved a new image for the town with the construction of Bellagio and its high class art collection and décor. Talk to anyone, any cabbie and clerk on the strip, and they will have an opinion and proposed insights into Wynn. If you dig just a wee bit deeper you soon learn that Wynn is one of those amazing creatures who is bold, brilliant, a risk-taker, calculating, opportunistic and -- well, don’t all fellows like this have a tragic flaw? -- vengeful.

Isn’t vengeance one of the seven deadly sins? If not, it should be.

You see, apparently Kirk Kerkorian snatched the Mirage from Wynn’s grip not unlike the way Steve himself had orchestrated financing for some of his past coups. Although he’d already topped himself by building the Mirage, Treasure Island and Bellagio (still the most beautiful hotel on the strip) Wynn needed to get back at the MGM boss who broke up his empire. Or, so the story goes.

To do so, Wynn pledged to build yet another "dream" greater than the Bellagio (which cost a mere $1.6 billion in 1997). He would build a bigger - no scrap that - smaller, more luxurious - no forget that - almost as luxurious, more beautiful - well not quite - hotel as Bellagio and would call it Wynn. Because that’s his name and Wynn’s is the only hotel that actually carries his name AND because the name "Wynn" shows you just how much Steve intends to live up to his moniker. He needs to fight back and Wynn against Kerkorian, see? Yeah, you get it.

Wall street was betting on Wynn last time I checked but I can’t say I am; not after spending the last five days nosing around and luxuriating in his newest product, trying desperately not to be overly critical. Yet, I couldn’t help myself.

Oh, there’s no arguing the resort is beautiful. All those flowers! That manmade lake! That golf course! Those suites! But nothing here is more beautiful than Bellagio or the Venetian nor as welcoming, friendly and fun as Ceasar’s and Paris. Even in Vegas there is nothing more sophisticated and classy as The Hotel, The Four Season’s and Mandalay Bay. Not even now. I’m really sorry to have to report this because I know it was so important to Steve that he spent $2.6 billion on his little "get back" hoping to make it the best and brightest. I sigh as I say it -- it’s not.

To the disappointed Mr. Wynn I would offer this suggestion: if what you wanted was a draw so you could steal the "whales" and high-rollers from the MGM/Mirage group why not just build an all-suite enclave just for them? Why not construct a high-roller-only haven and leave the rest of us out of it? Put a helicopter landing pad on the roof, install butlers, doorman and chauffeurs at the ready and invite them gamble at $5-10,000 a hand while their beautiful escorts with million dollar faces and other extraordinarily expensive body parts stroll the catwalks called Dior, Chanel, and Gaultier. If you are going for exclusive why not make it a members-only deal?

Parasols Up!

Why let in the riff-raff who crowd the nickel and quarter slot machines clog up your casino? They can’t wager enough to make it worth it as their presence will not impress those big sharks you really are hoping to attract. Gawlers and rubberneckers stop in to see how the other half supposedly lives. It’s obvious as they press their noses against the glass of the Ferrari dealership. Since they are there to snap photos for the folks back home, I, for one, would not be buying my Ferrari in plain sight of them. As it’s unlikely the common folks are buying Ferrari‘s I must ask what is this all about? Who but show-offs and celebrities would actually invite those photo ops?

Even better than the real thing, baby. Bono and I share a magic moment at Madame Tussands!

What I learned in my short stint in the business retail/marketing world is that everything is about perceived value. Even for the filthy rich, unless they have a hole in their head and are destined to lose their fortunes fast, they want value for their money. So the way I figure it, if I want to luxuriate in an enclave of cool I do not want to dodge white tennis shoes or curiosity seekers in the casino. If I want the world’s best service and great linens I will stay at the Four Seasons, thank you very much.

It may have just been growing pains but the service at Wynn’s, although he reportedly lured away top talent from the other hotels, was the worse I’ve experienced in Vegas. Unforgivably long lines to get a taxi, impossible waits for a bellman that required we haul our own luggage through the casino. No sir, this sort of thing does not equate to value or luxury for me. So far no one has beaten the Four Season in these categories so as Mr. Wynn raises the rates on his hotel’s rooms to match the quintessential conciege, the later is where I will rest my head next time I‘m in town.

Admittedly, the most touted "value added" elements of the Wynn are wasted on me. Since we live in Hawaii, the Wynn’s desert pool scene is as much a bust on me as is the contrived middle of the arid wasteland golf course was on my husband.

For $400 a round, who cares that you’re golfing directly on the strip? My husband love-love-loved the Anthem course nearby for half the price. Wynn’s spa is delightful but no more so than the Mandalay Bay’s or Canyon Ranch at the Venetian which again turns my sights back to the opposite end of the strip for accommodations that are worth the high price tag.

To me the biggest mistake Wynn made was making the new hotel’s main attraction (ala Bellagio’s fountains and Treasure Island’s pirate show) so private that guests must make a special effort to nab a table and pay the drink minimum to watch the darned thing. As a result, hoards of curiosity seekers pour into the hotel wandering the walkway leading to the viewing platform that serves as nothing more than a giant peephole enticing them to take a table or book a restaurant reservation so that they may fully enjoy (or see) the show. The result? Clogged tables in the restaurant, crowds in the main walkways, and guests such as myself who miss the show entirely. I’d have loved to have seen the much touted spectacular in the way I’ve watched Wynn’s other attractions -- casually, in passing on my way to elsewhere. To be required to make an ordeal out of it? That wasn‘t going to happen.

Perhaps it’s just me. I still can’t see the value in a jeans priced over $50 when my butt looks just as good in Levi’s no matter what the fashion editors try to preach. So I’m not likely to get caught up in paying for anyone’s unsubstantiated "hype" without substance to back it up.

It seems to me that for $2.6 billion I would have been more impressed. I guess it’s like this - I have just as much fun sipping Moet as I do drinking Dom. It’s obvious that about $1.8 billion of the details lavished on Wynn’s new shrine will go unnoticed to the average Jane, which I heartily claim to be, and the rest of the dames will only be impressed as long as their friends claim to be. None of mine were.

I’ll be at the Mandalay Bay if anyone cares to debate the opinions expressed here …

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It took me three trips to Sin City to figure out that the best place to get a sunset photo in Las Vegas was from the top of the Stratosphere tower on the far north end of the Strip. Since Las Vegas is on the…Read More

It took me three trips to Sin City to figure out that the best place to get a sunset photo in Las Vegas was from the top of the Stratosphere tower on the far north end of the Strip. Since Las Vegas is on the “edge” of its time zone, the sun sets a little earlier than you’d expect. This fact slipped our mind – as our cab driver went all NASCAR on us to get us to the tower as we were watching the sun slip behind the mountains.

We did manage to arrive at the tower, get our tickets ($9 just to go to the observation deck), and get up to the top to see a little color left in the sky. We also got to watch from high above as the Strip began to light up in all its neon glory – one hotel at a time.

While we were on top of the world, we got to watch the newest thrill ride in Vegas – the Stratosphere’s new XScream ride. This is essentially a big see-saw that throws its riders over the side of the building. Maybe it’s because I’m older and wiser now, but I’m just not ready to trust something that hangs me over the edge of a building. Next year – April 2005 – the Stratosphere will take crazy people to a whole new level of craziness with a swing ride that is suspended off the tower. Um, I’ll say no to that as well. I have, however, ridden one of the tamer rides on the tower – the roller coaster that circles the top. Although it’s still quite scary – you see nothing but the strip below – I didn’t feel like I was going to be plummeting to the concrete below. There’s one more ride (yes, it’s nearly a theme park in itself) that essentially shoots you up the Stratosphere’s needle.

While you’re at the Stratosphere, take some time to play the slots. It’s a Vegas secret that the Stratosphere offers better odds on their slots to attract visitors all the way up the Strip to their slightly-more-remote location. There are also some good restaurants (see the Fellini’s journal) and some interesting shops as well.

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Day Tripping From Las VegasAlthough Las Vegas is in a pretty grim, polluted setting, there is good to great scenery close athand.Several day trips to some fine western scenery are possible from Las Vegas, and at least one,Zion National Park, is a must. Las Vegas…Read More

Day Tripping From Las Vegas

Although Las Vegas is in a pretty grim, polluted setting, there is good to great scenery close at
hand.

Several day trips to some fine western scenery are possible from Las Vegas, and at least one,
Zion National Park, is a must. Las Vegas is less than a three hour drive from Zion National Park,
one of the world’s greatest scenic spots. We consider a trip to Vegas an extension of a trip to
Zion (see my journal on Zion for details on this great park.

See Experiences, this journal for more on Zion and its neighbors.

2) The Grand Canyon is too grand to fully appreciate from the ground. A sightseeing trip by
plane, or even better, by helicopter, is best. There are bus trips from Vegas to the South Rim,
but it’s more than 400 miles rt., so there can’t too much time at the National Park. Go by air, or
rent a car and take 2 or 3 days.

3) Valley of Fire State Park, has strange rock formations, mostly red rock, and is 40 miles
straight north by I-15. Make it a loop drive by returning along the shore of Lake Mead. Be sure
to go to the Visitor’s Center and take the dead end side road that runs uphill behind the Visitor’s
Center, where there are several scenic short walks available.

4) Red Rocks are about 20 miles straight west of Las Vegas. Technically closer than Valley of
Fire, there isn’t much difference in driving time and Red Rocks is a more stressful drive, seeming
to go on forever through the suburbs. Getting to the Valley of Fire is all Interstate.

5) The Mojave National Preserve is one of the most outstanding areas of the vast Mojave Desert.
There are forests of Joshua Trees, one of the strangest cacti, 600-feet high sand dunes, mountains,
deserts, ghost towns and semi-ghost towns, dormant volcanoes, mines, and vast lava flows. A few
thousand feet higher than Las Vegas, the Preserve is just a tad cooler, but still very hot in
summer.

A note on red rock: Las Vegas is located near the erratic boundary between the Great Basin and
the Colorado Plateau (see my journal on), once the greatest desert on Earth when it was more
than three times larger than today’s Sahara Desert. Desert sand thousands of feet thick were
then covered by water and transformed into sand stone. When the prehistoric sea retreated and
uncovered the rock, rains colored the rock by carrying disavowed minerals into them. Today, the
dominant color of the rock is deep red—rust from iron oxide–with bands of pink, white and
yellow, even an occasional green and purple. If you live in a landscape of gray rock, red rock
country will be a remarkable change.    Close

Normally I wouldn't consider shopping one of my favorite activities while on vacation. But shopping at the resort hotels on the Las Vegas strip is not your ordinary shopping experience. To be more precise, window-shopping in these locations is a treat in itself…Read More

Normally I wouldn't consider shopping one of my favorite activities while on vacation. But shopping at the resort hotels on the Las Vegas strip is not your ordinary shopping experience. To be more precise, window-shopping in these locations is a treat in itself as you can explore a virtual reality that could only exist in Las Vegas. We did not visit every hotel resort on the strip, but the ones we did visit were a visual adventure.

Our first stop was at the Aladdin Hotel’s shopping area called the Desert Passage. This is a mall that is designed to look like a bazaar from the Middle East. Every 15 minutes, there is an area set aside inside this mall that has a thunderstorm build up and end with a rainstorm for a few minutes. No one gets wet, but you can't help, but feel as if you have been through a storm.

We next visited the Venetian's Grand Canal shops, which are designed after Venice, Italy and its canals at the turn of the 20th century. You can literally step onto a gondola and go from one place in this mall to another or to the door of a restaurant. At the time we visited, St. Marks Square was being used for the filming of a Sandra Bullock film Miss Congeniality 2. Mostly, we saw just a lot of the crew setting up for shots. Not much action here.

We next visited the Forum shops in Caesar’s Palace. As the name implies, the motif here is ancient Rome. Again the attention to detail is marvelous as you feel you've stepped back in time. The main attraction here besides the shopping was a fountain in which animatrophic statues come to life and decide the fate of this ancient world.

Our next stop was the Bellagio, which is modeled after an Italian village. To put it simply, this shopping area was beautiful.

To call these places shopping malls is a misnomer. These areas could be destinations in their own right. For us, the merchandise was secondary in these shops as style was everything. That is not to say that their quality of goods is second rate. On the contrary, it is all upscale and pricey. But oh that style!!

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Timeshare or condo living has become our favorite travel accommodation. We like having the extra space and a full kitchen so we can fix one or two meals a day. Of course that means we need to find a grocery store soon after we arrive.…Read More

Timeshare or condo living has become our favorite travel accommodation. We like having the extra space and a full kitchen so we can fix one or two meals a day. Of course that means we need to find a grocery store soon after we arrive. This trip, I made arrangements with my nephew to take us grocery shopping.

On our last trip to Las Vegas we drove to a store the concierge recommended. It was relatively close at 1131 E. Tropicana in the Camelot Shopping Center. Vons was however a big disappointment. I thought from the looks of the empty shelves that we had found our way into a Third World country. I shop from a list and found I had to make lots of substitutions and changes of meal plans. I would never go there again.

The nephew took us to Albertsons, which is a gem of a store. Located at 1300 E. Flamingo it wasn’t that much further out from The Strip. They had a great selection of produce, all the canned, bottled, and refrigerated items I needed. The staff and fellow customers were helpful. I met one customer whose grandparents live in our hometown of Ames, Iowa. The store was clean, too.
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I'm not a fan of government meddling, but one thing they've always been supposed to do which I do agree with, and that's keeping an eye on monopolies. Unfortunately, somebody has dropped the ball in that regard with Las Vegas. The company that…Read More

I'm not a fan of government meddling, but one thing they've always been supposed to do which I do agree with, and that's keeping an eye on monopolies. Unfortunately, somebody has dropped the ball in that regard with Las Vegas. The company that owns MGM Grand, who also own Disney and a bunch of other stuff, have bought out pretty much the entire west side of the Strip. This includes the MGM Grand, the Excalibur, the Luxor, the Monte Carlo, the Bellagio, the Treasure Island and several others besides. They also own the big food court next to the MGM grand, which means that if you're down that end of the Strip then just about anything you do will have to go through this same company. This means no competition between these traditional rivals and that really, really shows. The level of customer service we saw at these MGM owned hotels was several rungs below the level of service we saw at their competitors. The staff were tired, surly, bored and unhelpful, which really was a stark contrast to our visit of six years ago, before this consortium bought everything out.

The other most noticeable facet of this situation was that the last time we visited we were treated as valuable customers and left to choose what we wanted to do. If there was something we wanted to get involved in it was easy to do and there was plenty of help on how best to do it, but nothing was pressed on us. This time there was a lot of people trying to sell us things. As well as the very pushy timeshare people there were ticket sellers, nightclub reps and a variety of other people, all trying to force their wares on us in a rather abrasive manner. I'm not saying that these people are all employed by the MGM Grand group, but they would not have been allowed to peddle their wares on the doorstep of these hotels when we visited last.

So Las Vegas is still a very interesting place to visit. THe Fountains at the Bellagio are still superb, the shows are still breathtaking, the hotels are still amazing and - if you know when and where to look - you can still stay there pretty cheaply while you sightsee. Having said all that though, it's worth bypassing the MGM hotels if you can. If you have the means then the Venetian is definitely the best accommodation on offer, whereas if you are looking for somewhere cheap then look up the Stratosphere hotel at the other end of the Strip. It's a long way off, but it's a good place, the service is still top notch, the prices are excellent and - if you have your own means of transport - it's a good spot away from the action to unwind and relax without having to pay for the privelege.    Close

My husband and I recently went to "The Entertainment Capital of the World," to celebrate my birthday. We hadn't visited this neon clad town in over 25 years, and were not sure what historic relics would still remain standing. Needless to say we were both…Read More

My husband and I recently went to "The Entertainment Capital of the World," to celebrate my birthday. We hadn't visited this neon clad town in over 25 years, and were not sure what historic relics would still remain standing. Needless to say we were both shocked and awed at how built up the city had become, and equally sad at how it was so easy to replace the old with the new.

Because we love nostalgia we wanted to stay in a property that was "vintage" Vegas. So, we stayed at the world famous Flamingo Hotel and Casino (now owned by Harrah's). Which is by far the most celebrated of the early resorts, circa 1946, as it was built by mobster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, a member of the Meyer Lansky crime organization. I am not sure if anything of the old hotel remains standing except for the Pink Flamingo neon sign, but we were ecstatic to stay here! The rooms were very cool - I think perfect for a younger hip crowd - we loved the TV in the bathroom that was built into the mirror and the location can't be beat. We were directly across the street from Caesar's (also owned by Harrah's) - dead center of the strip!!!

We walked up and down the strip or took the Monorail that connects the Sahara to the MGM, checking out the sites and sounds, but also looking for the nostalgic Vegas, the "off the beaten path" joints.

Back in the day if you were from Southern California (and we are) you would drive into Vegas, and always see the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign, which has been greeting guests to this celebrated town since 1959. Well, most of us now fly, and if you want to see this vintage sign head over to Las Vegas Blvd South (the strip) between Russell and Sunset roads. The sign is located in the center island - but there is No parking here, at least legally.

Just down the street from the Welcome to Las Vegas sign is one of the most famous wedding spots in the West - the "Little Church of the West," which is on the National Register of Historic Places, and has been marrying stars since 1943.

As a kid I remember the old cowboy neon sign that waved his arm and would say "Howdy Pardner," this sign is known as Vegas Vic and is located atop the Pioneer Hotel at the Fremont Experience. I guess back in 1966 Lee Marvin complained about the noise (he was staying at the Mint Hotel and Casino) and the sound was turned off. It was turned back on again, but as of 2006 has stopped working and in 1991 his arm no longer worked.

The cowgirl neon sign known as Sassy Sally crowns the Glitter Gulch at the Fremont Street Experience.

Want to see more of the nostalgic neon signs? Be sure to visit the Neon museum - the keeper of all signs cool, as the new signs replace the vintage ones. This is a self guided walking tour of restored signs dating back to 1940 - located on Fremont Street.
www.neonmuseum.org

Just as a side note the Fremont Experience is an enclosed area connected with shops, dining and casinos, and in the evening there is a laser show. But in Las Vegas history Fremont Street was the catalyst for the gaming industry.

From the modest beginnings of Las Vegas, Fremont Street initially was in the forefront of the gambling industry. It became the city's first paved street in 1925, the first street to have a traffic light and it is the site of the first Downtown highrise - the Fremont Hotel, built in 1956.

The Fremont Hotel is where Wayne Newton got his start in Vegas. The Apache Hotel on Fremont Street in 1932 was the first Las Vegas resort to have an elevator. The Horseshoe (now Binion's) was the first casino to install carpet. And the first gaming license was issued to a Downtown Fremont Street gambling hall.

Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel, located on Fremont St., is the original home of the world series of Poker. This establishment was called Binion's Horseshoe (circa 1951) and was the first casino to offer high stakes gambling and free liquor.

Golden Gate Hotel, also located on Fremont Street, is Las Vegas' oldest lodging establishment and opened as the Hotel Nevada in 1906, and was named the Sal Sagev (Las Vegas backwards) in 1931. Clark Gable holed up here in 1942 after his wife Carol Lombard was killed in a plane accident. Today most visitors come for the 99 cent shrimp cocktails and to see Sin City's first telephone (on display in the lobby) - the phone number was simply 1.

But the very first gambling hotel was the El Rancho Vegas, the first hotel-casino on the strip in 1941.

Back on the strip the Folies Bergere, one of the original Las Vegas "feather shows," has been in business for 50 years. It is at the Tropicana. Those who blush easily should attend the 7:30PM show, otherwise, attend the 10PM show. Be sure to check out the vintage pool which offers swim-up blackjack between Memorial and Labor days.

The Imperial Palace started life in 1959 as a small motel called the Flamingo Capri. Today it is known for its classic car showroom (but they charge a fee), located next to the Flamingo hotel and casino.

Want to dine where the rat pack did? Try Battista's Hole in the Wall. It is a no thrills place with cheap eats, located behind the Flamingo at 4041 Audrie Street. Or how 'bout the Golden Steer Steak House, which is another establishment where the Rat Pack used to dine, and believe me - little has changed since they frequented this restaurant.

If you want to experience neon Vegas in a lounge setting be sure to check out the Peppermill (a classic lounge on the strip). The intense pink and blue neon and mirrored ceiling of this original ultra lounge, was featured in a scene of Martin Scorsese's "Casino," totally cool. Replete with a sunken fire pit, surrounded by water, and big comfy sofas this place is a primo spot to chill at!

One of the oldest hotels still standing, the Sahara Hotel has been host to the Beatle's and Elvis over the years. This hotel opened in 1952 and is the LAST of the so called Rat Pack hotels. There are numerous vintage photos around the bars. For you historians this is the site where the old club Bingo once stood.

Also on the strip is the Riviera, another hotel we found with lots of vintage photos. Head up to the showroom, and step back in time -definitely worth the visit.

And what would Vegas be without the King? For all you Elvis fans if you go to the Las Vegas Hilton, the big bronze statue out front pays homage to Elvis who rocked the house for 837 consecutive sold out shows starting in 1969.

By all means there is something for everyone in Las Vegas. World class dining, stellar entertainment, gorgeous hotels, and if you look hard enough you will still see a glimmer of the glory days - when Las Vegas was legendary... http://www.library.unlv.edu/early_las_vegas/


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Las Vegas is the mecca of consumerism. The money flows freely on the tables and in the stores. Every high-end fashion name has bought their corner of Vegas. This doesn't mean that you have be a high roller to have a good time. Here are…Read More

Las Vegas is the mecca of consumerism. The money flows freely on the tables and in the stores. Every high-end fashion name has bought their corner of Vegas. This doesn't mean that you have be a high roller to have a good time. Here are some tips to do Vegas on a budget... and hopefully stick to it.



1. Plan how much you are going to spend on gambling and stick to it. Not being big gamblers (i.e., we can't rip up a $20 bill and not cry about it), we only planned to spend $50 - $70 on gambling. This is also part of your drinking budget since as long as you are sitting in front of a machine or at a table, drinks are free!



2. Get the Players Club Cards. Just for signing up for a comp card, you get freebies, discounts on tickets, meals and souvenirs. We got a lot of promotions that were well worth the 5 minutes in line. This includes: $5 off buffets, 2 for 1 tickets to the Eiffel Tower, free playing cards and sweatshirts, and free tickets to a magic and a comedy show. These were just the promotions that we used!



3. Do a Timeshare Tour. These tedious 2 hour sell-fests are notorious cash grabs, but if you don't plan on buying in, go for the freebies. Timeshare companies want you to see their stuff and to get you there, they will entice you with freebies. For a 2 hour tour of a timeshare, we got free tickets, coupons for discounted shows and $75.



4. Look for What's On Magazine. This magazine is a tourist's bible for Las Vegas. It lists all the shows, attractions, restaurants, etc for the time that you are there. In between the advertisements are coupons for cheap meals, free swag, and discounts. Tear them out and use them.



5. Do your research before going to Vegas. Just by researching online, I was able to get a lot coupons for free admission to the Auto Collection at the Imperial Palace, Money off the roller-coasters at the Stratosphere and New York, New York, and information about a 2 for 1 tour of the Grand Canyon (from a fellow rough guide community member!). Some coupons you'll find online will cost money, but don't pay for them. They are all free in most magazines and online. Vegas.com and the Nevada tourist board are also an awesome site full of information. Send them your information and they will send you maps, tourist guides and lists of attractions.   Close

These are a few tips and suggestions that we would have liked to have known about before going to Vegas!1. It's Dry: Yep, Vegas is in the desert and only gets approximately 4 inches of rainfall a year, making a dry terrain. This can have…Read More

These are a few tips and suggestions that we would have liked to have known about before going to Vegas!



1. It's Dry: Yep, Vegas is in the desert and only gets approximately 4 inches of rainfall a year, making a dry terrain. This can have a devastating effect on the body if you aren't prepared. Make sure you bring your sunscreen, aloe or oatmeal based lotion and some chap-stick with you. We didn't and by the end of 5 days we were both rougher than sandpaper and our lips were dried and chapped. If you're drinking, remember to drink water between drinks, otherwise you will have the pasties in less the 10 minutes.



2. You're Living an Infomercial: Everywhere you go someone will try and sell you something: hand lotion, timeshares, packaged vacations, cars, you name it. These people are pros and have the rap down pat. If able, they will draw you into a long schpeal about the product and will try and get you to buy it by having you test-drive the latest and the greatest. Wear your second skin and remember to say 'no.'



3. Money Talks: Remember to tip the servers and anyone else providing a service if you think they deserve it. As a general rule, everyone we met in Vegas was extremely friendly and helpful, often going above and beyond to make us happy. This is worth at least 50 cent or a dollar. When you tip at the casinos, the free drinks will keep coming and elsewhere it will ensure that you are getting the best service. Just as an example, when were offered VIP passes to Pure, we gave the guy $10 because this is his livelihood and it would have cost us $50 to get in the club. After the tip, he couldn't give us enough nightclub VIP passes. We had a VIP pass for every night we were in Vegas.



4. When in doubt, dress up: Vegas is about the money and you better look the part. This town is run and built on cold hard cash. If you don't look the part, you are often not included. This is often the general rule for clubs and restaurants. Check the dress code before leaving the hotel... or your city for that matter!



5. Don't play in traffic: The local government of Vegas decided that too many tourists were getting hit by cars on the strip every year and built these nifty foot bridges that span over the street. These bridges are a great way to avoid being smucked by a rented Lambourgini. They are located at most of the hotels or within a short walking distance.
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The truck stop keeps changing names, so I will just call it the Truck Stop. You can’t miss it. The little town of Parowan is about a mile east of I-15. The sruck stop, about as big as the town, is just west of the…Read More

The truck stop keeps changing names, so I will just call it the Truck Stop. You can’t miss it. The little town of Parowan is about a mile east of I-15. The sruck stop, about as big as the town, is just west of the expressway. Since it is big and it is the only thing west of the expressway within sight, you don’t need a name. It has everything: the cheapest gas for miles around, a general store, clean restrooms, showers, and a restaurant.

It is a good, classic western café– meat, potatoes, and gravy. What the hoity-toity set today calls comfort food. It is not great food, but it is a lot of good food at amazingly low prices. How good is it? Well, when on ski week, we usually stayed in Beaver, 30 miles north on I-15, but at least once during ski week, we would drive down to the truck stop for diner. Urbanites who cut their teeth on Emeril will be amazed. The truck stop will be a dining adventure, and a pleasant one.

We liked the meatloaf and chicken best, closely followed by ham steak and steak. Never tried the fish, and neither should you, being 700 miles from the nearest ocean in dead end Utah. Shrimp is probably worth a shot as most places away from the coasts serve frozen shrimp. Should Utah trout be on the menu, verify it is fresh and then go for it.

You get your potatoes as decent fries or as good mashed potatoes with gravy.

If you have never had Chicken Fried Steak, that is what you must order. Along with meatloaf,  Chicken Fried Steak is the ultimate in comfort food. Properly and disgustingly done, Chicken Fried Steak is a large hamburger patty dipped in egg and breadcrumbs and then deep fried. So far, so good. Then a dollop of mashed potatoes is put on the plate beside the Chicken Fried Steak and white gravy is dumped on top of it all. For a real adventure in dining, the gravy should be a gooey, gelatinous glob of milk and flour. Fries are not an option unless you like gravy covered
fries.

Meals also come with a vegetable side, usually out of can. That is part of the dining adventure, not part of the good food. The diner rolls are first rate.

This is the first the first restaurant I ever saw that had telephones at each booth along the wall. I have no idea what that means, except that it must be for the truck drivers to call home.

Service is fast and down home friendly.    Close